The Hidden Flame

The Forgotten Prodigy

Panting and slowly bleeding, Kazuto dragged his feet from under him as his vision tunneled to the entrance of Konoha, the Village Hidden in the leaves.

Just a few more steps.

Just a few more steps and then the guards at the gate could see him. And hopefully, see his headband gleam in the light. 

As he trudged along the dirt path, he could sense the presence of another. A sage. 

No... No, I was so close...

It was then, despite all protests from his aching legs, he began to ran. His lung was punctured in his last battle so Kazuto knew that he didn't have very long before his whole body gave out on him, but he had to at least try. The Gate grew nearer and nearer as his lungs burned with every breath. His vision blurred as he staggered a little further, into the clearing of the gate so it was clear someone was there. 

I made it... I made... It...

Then the world started to shift, and swirled into nothingness.

Naruto Uzumaki

"Lord Hokage!"

Uzumaki Naruto bolted straight up from his seat behind the Hokage office. "W-What is it?"

"We've just received word that a ninja dropped dead at the entrance gate."

"Where's he from?"

"According to his headband, here. But it's strange, he's not in any of our civilian records." Naruto thought on this. A stranger to the village? A threat perhaps. But there was an equal possibility this could be a potential ally.

"Have Sakura heal him and we'll get the answers we need when he wakes up."

"Hai!" The soldier nodded and disappeared to carry out the order. The Seventh Hokage sighed as he yawned and rubbed his eyes tiredly. He had forgotten what it was like to sleep peacefully for once in his life. Though, he was so busy, he couldn't really get the rest he wanted. As he sat back in his seat, he heard a whoosh and looked over, his tired expression suddenly turned into a smile as he sat up. 

"Long time no see, Sasuke."

His old friend returned the smile for one of his own and stood before his long time friend.

"Well. I'm still on the journey of atonement."

"How's that been going?"

"Very informing actually. It's been said that a ninja carries both the Uzumaki and Uchiha blood line." Naruto thought for a moment on this.

"Did you get a name for who this might be?"

"No, I haven't gotten anything useful so far. Just very off descriptions about him."

"I see..."

"Something's on your mind."

Naruto nodded and leaned on his desk. "Guards at the front gate just brought in a ninja who could be a potential threat..."

"But?"

"But he could also be a powerful ally. The funny thing is, he has the Hidden Leaf Headband, but we have no record of him. I'm going to survey the situation myself. Sakura's already down there healing him."

He saw Sasuke's expression soften at the mention of Sakura.

"You're welcome to join me."

"No, I have to-"

"Sasuke, you haven't seen her in a while. Come on. Let's go."